I do not own anything related to Hannibal, either through television, or written books. Everything belongs to Thomas Harris and Bryan Fuller. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Hannibal is a gritty, provocative, seductive, murderous bloody show. My chapters contain scenes of violence, sex, drugs, language, triggers and sometimes hard to stomach scenes. This story is rated M.

Chapter Three

Song(s): Gnossienne No. 1 (Erik Satie), Palomino (Gemma Hayes)

Interlacing her fingers as she rested her hands in her lap, Oliveah sucked in a deep breath and held it for nearly thirty seconds before blowing it out slowly.

"I don't think Will Graham wants to have me around."

Driving with one hand on the wheel, Hannibal rubbed his thumb against his chin as he pondered her words.

"Will Graham is a man whose mind borders on disassociation to other people. Friends I expect do not come easily, nor professional co-workers" he offered as Oliveah scoffed.

"I'm the hired help Doctor Lecter. In the old days I would have been behind the scenes not with the grownups at the party" she replied, looking out her passenger side window to the fading sunset. In less than twenty minutes, darkness would take over the rest of their drive.

"You do not have faith in your learned abilities?"

"Will Graham thinkst it would be better for me to skip on back to school as the world is an ugly place, Oliveah sneered as she quoted Graham's earlier words with a slight distaste in her mouth.

Clearing his throat, Hannibal quickly checked his review mirror before giving a look to his passenger.

"Not only is the world an ugly place per say, but it is also very unfair, at times cruel, and full of monsters."

"Monsters under the bed do not scare me Doctor Lecter" Oliveah challenged.

Ah, but not all monsters stay under the bed Miss. Adler Hannibal thought as light rain drops began to fall on the windshield. Switching on the wiper blades, the car lapsed in silence as the raindrops began to fall more heavily.

"May I ask what brought you to study at Johns Hopkins Miss. Adler?"

Hearing the Doctor's question, Oliveah shifted in her seat and removed her blazer. Folding it over her lap like a blanket, she watched as Hannibal reached his fingers out and turned on the heat without question.

"The usual reasons, I guess. A world class school, employment opportunities, bragging rights. There was nothing to keep me back in Canada after I was finished at McGill" she spoke as Hannibal's ears perked up.

"You are Canadian, but not from La Belle Province" Lecter accented with French, as Oliveah gave him a look.

"I was born in Toronto, but I consider Montreal home. Have you ever been to Quebec?" she questioned, catching the Doctor moistening his lips.

"Not since I was a very young man" he replied, lowering his chin into his chest as his excellent memory took him back to a tiny town in rural Quebec twenty-six years ago…

"I've come to collect a head."

"You may be pleased to know that in my first year Psychology class at McGill, one of your publications was a required reading on the syllabus."

Breaking his thoughts, Lecter continued to stare out the windshield as Oliveah spoke, a slight smirk crossing his lips in the shadows.

"I am honored. Which publication was it?"

"Evolutionary Origins of Social Exclusions."

"Ah yes. Exclusion to rights, opportunities, and resources from one privileged group to the more unfortunate. Doctor Bloom tells me that your Masters thesis on the ever questionable Nature vs Nurture debate is quite interesting"

Doctor Bloom has mentioned my writing to Hannibal Lecter? World famous Psychiatrist?

"My thesis has been neglected as of late. I hope to get back to it later this week" Oliveah replied as Lecter remained silent. Feeling the smoothness of the leather seat, she rubbed her fingers against the stitching as the car lapsed back into silence, though not uncomfortable.

"This may be a personal question Sir, but can I ask where you are from Doctor Lecter? I can't place your accent."

Unfastening the top button of his peacoat, Lecter remained silent as the rain pelted down on the windshield.

"I was born in Lithuania and raised in France."

It was all he offered as Oliveah yawned, covering her mouth.

"Sorry."

"I would not be offended if you slept Miss. Adler. You had a full day with Doctor Bloom and a strong…introduction to Jack Crawford."

Nodding her head, Oliveah rested back against the headrest and closed her eyes just as hauntingly soft, musical notes touched her ears.

"Hmm, a lullaby to put me to sleep Doctor Lecter? Erik Satie…." she whispered, slipping into unconsciousness as Lecter drummed his fingers to the piano notes with a small smile as the young student recognized one of his favorite pieces for the twilight hours.

"Do you have trouble sleeping Miss. Adler?" he questioned in a voice too low for her to hear. Staring out of the windshield, Hannibal tuned into the soft breathing of his passenger and found it almost as comforting as the Satie piano notes that swirled around the interior of the car.

"Lopsine ir labanaky… Oliveah."

One hour later…

Parking the Bentley curbside of Clinton Street right outside a blue row house, Hannibal glanced out the passenger window as he took in the state of the neighborhood area. Suitable for a student of this modern age he noted as he removed the keys out of the ignition, while his ears picked up muttering from the still body in the seat next to him.

"It's just me, myself, and I. Always will be…it's my fault. All my fault…"

What I wonder, is all your fault Miss. Adler?

Watching his passenger's lips moving, Hannibal reached out and lightly touched his fingers against the side of Oliveah's exposed throat.

Throwing her eyes open wide, Oliveah sat upright and sucked in a deep breath.

"Where…how did you know where I lived?" she questioned looking out of the passenger window with tired and confused eyes.

"You will forgive me Miss. Adler, but I checked your driver's license while you were asleep for your home address."

Looking down at her brown purse, Oliveah found it closed and stared at Doctor Lecter.

"You could have woken me up Doctor Lecter."

Hearing her annoyance, Hannibal fixed his eyes on hers with interest.

"Your tone of voice suggests that you don't trust me Miss. Adler," Lecter offered as Oliveah folded up her blazer into a small ball.

"I've never met you before Doctor Lecter. If you weren't a highly regarded professional, I would never have accepted a nearly two-hour ride home in the dark. You could be a closeted serial killer for all I know," Oliveah added as she grabbed her purse. "Thank you for the ride home. I can open my own door.

Throwing open the door to the Bentley, Oliveah quickly checked for traffic in the dark street before slamming the door behind her cutting off the stare of a pair of narrowing, silent dark eyes.

Goodnight then Oliveah

Striding across the empty street, Oliveah could feel the Doctor's eyes on her back as she climbed up the steps of the blue townhouse. Setting her house keys down lightly on the wooden hutch in the foyer, she peered out the dark window and watched as Doctor Lecter drove away into the night.

A shower and then sleep

Moving through the dark quiet townhouse, Oliveah kept her hand on the wall to guide her way as she rounded the door to her bedroom. The hibernation light of her laptop afforded the only light in the room as she grabbed her sleep shorts and black tank top off the end of her bed before heading across the hallway to the bathroom.

She wasn't even sure if her housemate and his boyfriend were home, but at that moment she had no desire to strike up a conversation with anyone.

Leaving the lights off in the bathroom, she half closed the door and pulled back the bathroom curtain to let in the eerie glow of the alley lamp. Feeling the warmth of the steam enclosing the small room as the hot water in the tub ran steady, Oliveah crossed the hallway and running her finger along the mouth of her glass of water, she dipped a single fingertip into the liquid and sucked it dry as she opened the lid of her laptop. Bringing up Good Search, she began to type in the first of her curiosities.

Garret Jacob Hobbs

She had read in the Baltimore Sun and the New York Times the day after the shooting details of what had happened inside the house. Growing up with that man as her father meant that every day Abigail must have trodden on breadcrumbs. Or perhaps, she really had had no idea who her father really was or what he was.

"Did you know Abigail?" Oliveah wondered out loud as she saw an article linked to the Tattle Crime website.

"No thank you gossip."

Emptying her glass, Oliveah moved her finger over to the power button, when her mind flashed to Doctor Lecter's blank face as he simply stared at her while she ripped him a new one in his expensive Bentley.

"Stupid. Really fucking stupid Oliveah."

Remembering the bath that she had left running, she quickly hovered a finger over the keyboard and began to type…

Doctor Hannibal Lecter Psychiatrist Baltimore Maryland

There were no social media pages or even a business website dedicated to the European Doctor. The most recent article she came across with his name had to do with the Hobbs crime. He had been present with Will Graham and had been credited with saving Abigail's life using his previous medical skills as an Emergency Room Doctor.

"And here I was tonight calling him a down and out creep" she moaned into her hand as she closed the browser. Closing the lid of her laptop, Oliveah exhaled sharply as she took note of the late hour and sighed. In less than six hours she would be accompanying Doctor Bloom back to Port Haven to pick up Abigail and return her home.

To the walls of the family home that had nearly claimed her life.

6:43am, Port Haven Psychiatric Hospital, Baltimore. MD

Standing beside Doctor Bloom's blue hybrid, Oliveah stared towards the distant trees that surrounded the hospital grounds and breathed in the fresh air. Fall was quickly becoming apparent not just in the air, but everywhere one looked. The leaves on the trees had rapidly started to change color from green to red and yellow mixes. The geese from Canada had already started their migration down south. Watching a black squirrel scamper across the lawn and up a birch tree, Oliveah's ears heard the tires of an approaching vehicle and turning around she observed the car settling into park. Watching a grey jacketed figure exiting out of the passenger side of the SUV, she muttered something intangible as she recognized Will Graham. Rounding the end of the SUV, Oliveah's eyes fell upon the tall figure of Doctor Hannibal Lecter as she felt the apology burning her tongue.

Here we go.

Apologize and just hope that he won't mention my unprofessional attitude to Doctor Bloom.

Making her way towards the front of the hospital, her eyes caught Doctor Lecter's as he stood on the top stone step with Will Graham.

"Miss. Adler, how nice to see you again."

Nodding her head as she took in the Doctor's cold tone, Oliveah folded her arms behind her back and took in a deep breath.

Here we go.

"Doctor Lecter, I would like to apologize for last night. I was tired, and yesterday was a very full day."

"A very full first of many days" he replied staring down into her face.

"I am sorry that I verbally lashed out. You were ever the gentleman to drive me home, and I am embarrassed that I said stupid, immature things. It was entirely uncalled for."

Moving his eyes onto Oliveah's lips, Hannibal nodded his head slightly as he reached up to adjust the collars of his coat. "I accept your apology Miss. Adler and I hope that in time, you feel that you can trust me" he replied as Will shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't want to rush anybody, but our plane leaves for Minnesota in less than an hour" he urged as the front doors opened to reveal Doctor Bloom with an arm around Abigail's shoulder. Walking silently down the stone steps, Abigail looked at Oliveah and blinked quickly in surprise.

"You're coming with us?"

"If you're not comfortable with that, I don't have to" Oliveah offered as she felt her cheeks flush.

Why in the hell would you be invited? You're not a professional, what would you have to offer to her?

"No, I want you to come. I was hoping you would be here, I just, feel like I can talk to you" Abigail replied as Hannibal fixed a curious eye on Oliveah.

"Then I will be here for you Abigail."

Hobbs Residence, Bloomington, Minnesota…

Turning left and passing through a set of gates that framed a paved driveway, Oliveah focused her gaze into the review mirror front and center just as Hannibal brought his eyes up to meet hers.

Why do I have the feeling that you are studying me Doctor Lecter?

To her left, Oliveah felt Abigail fidgeting against her ribs and as she looked over, she caught sight of Abigail's neck.

"Sorry, I'm just trying to tie my scarf," Abigail blushed, nervously as her fingers fumbled around her loose dark hair.

"I can hold your hair up so you can tie," Oliveah spoke softly as Abigail nodded her head. Watching her wrap the fabric of her scarf around her thin neck, she tucked up Abigail's hair in her fist as she felt her body finally coming to rest beside her in peace.

"Are there going to be police officers at my house?"

Raising his eyes, Hannibal shook his head.

"There is no reason to have them around anymore."

Sitting in silence, Oliveah felt the car coming to a slow roll as Will Graham in the passenger seat threw his door open before the vehicle had come to a complete stop.

Sliding over the warm seat vacated by Doctor Bloom, Oliveah slammed her door just as her eyes fell onto large, black spray-painted letters that spanned across the entire garage door…

CANNIBALS

Jesus…

Following Doctor Bloom up the driveway, Oliveah's eyes watched as Abigail walked with her head slightly down towards the front stoop of the house.

She looks ashamed

"Is this where my mom died?" Abigail questioned as she folded her hands across her front.

Keeping back, Oliveah watched as Will Graham came to stand on the stone stoop. Heading into the house, they rounded the kitchen as evidence boxes littered nearly every counter and tabletop.

"If you ever want to go, all you have to say is the word and we will go" Bloom's voice broke out as Abigail cut her off.

"Go where Doctor Bloom? This is the only home I've ever had. I am home." Touching the plain white backs of photographs pinned on the fridge door; Abigail turned around and focused on the kitchen floor.

"Is that where all my blood was?"

"Yes."

Staring down at the spotless floor, Abigail licked her lips.

"I remember your face Mr. Graham. I think I'll always remember your face" Abigail breathed as Will looked down to his feet.

"The attacks on you and your mother were different; they were desperate. Your dad knew he was almost out of time. Someone told him we were coming."

Another killer called that morning? Christ, there are only about fifty active serial killers in all of the United States and two curiously targeted this very house. Abigail, I'm so sorry. Folding her hands in front of her, Oliveah watched as Abigail seemed taken aback by Graham's words.

"You may have been contacted by another killer."

Feeling her hands tremble, Abigail moved to the countertop and drummed her fingers nervously. "He is still out there then. Do you think he will be watching me? Do you think he is watching us right now?" she rambled as Doctor Bloom touched her arm.

"You will stay at Port Haven until further notice and that has not been released to the press. You will be safe there, and the police are only a phone call away" Doctor Bloom assured as Abigail stood up tall.

"I think I need to sit down."

Moving into the living room, Oliveah watched as Bloom took a seat right next to the young girl.

Why wouldn't you give her a bit of space Doctor Bloom?

"We brought you home Abigail to put your mind at rest with what happened here to you. But we also need you to think if there was anything your father may have told you or showed you that would give us a clue as to where the other bodies are."

Hearing Bloom's words, Abigail shook her head.

"You're not going to find those girls you know. My father was a perfectionist. Nothing went to waste. Nothing."

Watching as Doctor Lecter hauled two evidence boxes stacked on top of each other in from the kitchen, Oliveah stepped aside as he sat them down in front of Abigail. Flipping through handfuls of loose photographs, Abigail appeared almost bored as she dumped them all back in the box with irritation.

"My father had a cabin; I can show you tomorrow if you think you might find something…"

Hearing footsteps coming down the hallway, Oliveah threw her eyes onto Will Graham just as a dark-haired girl rounded the corner.

What the fuck?

"Hi Abigail."

Watching the two young girls walking out into the backyard, Oliveah trained her eyes on Marissa's back as Doctor Bloom's voice broke in.

"I still don't think Abigail is completely innocent of her father's crimes. I just can't shake it, and I hate it."

"Her confidence in her father's ability to mask and hide the remnants of bodies has me wondering if she didn't inadvertently stumble upon her father's killings" Oliveah noted as Doctor Lecter leaned against the far cupboard with his arms crossed over his chest.

"There is no question that she knows more than she thinks" Bloom added as Lecter remained silent.

"Hannibal? What do you think?"

Bringing her eyes to rest on the Doctor's face, Oliveah could almost feel the inner wrestling of coming out and saying yes. "Yes, Abigail Hobbs knew what was going on."

"I think it's still too soon to make life altering assumptions that would greatly impact her life."

"HEY PISS OFF!"

Hearing a loud shout, Oliveah turned her eyes back to the backyard and caught sight of a third person dressed in jeans.

"What the hell, there's a man outside!" she exclaimed as Lecter quickly left the kitchen. Watching Marissa hurling stones at the man, Oliveah watched as the individual quickly ducked behind a gathering of trees and scurried off into the forest.

"Maybe there should be police here Doctor Bloom."

Northwood Inn, Bloomington, Minnesota…

Later that evening

"I won't ever have to come back to Minnesota after this, will I?" Abigail questioned as Oliveah tied the laces to her Doc Martin boots.

"If you don't want to come back here, then you don't have to. That is in your control" Oliveah replied firmly as Abigail flopped back down on the single rollaway bed against the window.

"I mean there is nothing left for me here. I have no family, and hell, besides Marissa, I have no friends that will want to see me," she pouted, staring up at the cork ceiling.

Just like me Abigail

"You know, I use to volunteer on a crisis line for women and one of the grounding techniques we suggested to get through a moment of crisis was to listen to music" Oliveah spoke as Abigail leaned back against the headboard of the bed.

"I don't have any music to listen to" Abigail sulked as Oliveah routed around in her backpack.

"I listen to music on my phone. Here."

Holding out her Blackberry, Oliveah watched as Abigail took it lightly in her hand.

"I have earbuds too."

Watching Abigail swipe her finger through the mounds of songs for something to her liking, Oliveah grabbed her oversized grey Johns Hopkins pullover hoodie and felt a presence beside her as Abigail took out a single earbud from her ear.

"I'm going to have a shower" Doctor Bloom spoke as she held up her travel cosmetics bag.

Watching Bloom closing the bathroom door, Oliveah grabbed the ice bucket and headed out of the motel room, firmly closing the door behind her. Making her way down the lit row of sectioned motel rooms, she hummed the latest tune from a Glass Animals song she had heard from a television commercial. Spying the ice cooler just off the parking lot, Oliveah nearly flung the ice bucket into the adjacent field as two large tabby cats tore out from the hedge in front of her.

"Fucking cats!" she spat just as the scuffling noise of shoes sounded off from behind her.

Ignoring the ice bucket, she slowly turned around and spied a figure standing still.

"Are you following me?"

Hearing no response to her question, Oliveah picked up the bucket and slowly approached the figure who made no movement.

Okay, there is no such thing as ghosts

And I swear I will do some serious damage with this bucket if I get close enough…

"Mr. Graham?"

Coming to stand in front of Will Graham, Oliveah took note that he was shirtless and dressed in nothing more than a pair of light grey sleeping shorts.

"Will?"

Repeating his name, Oliveah reached out and touched his arm before straightening up.

"Will your drenched in sweat, can you hear me?"

Taking his hand in hers, Oliveah watched as he started to lower himself down to sit on the gravel awkwardly.

"WILLIAM!"

Shouting his name loudly, Oliveah pulled off her sweatshirt and draped it around his sweaty naked shoulders. Throwing her hand up against his forehead she reached for her back pant pocket for her phone.

"Shit, Abigail…."

"Will, you're going into shock. I'm going to get Doctor Lecter. Keep my sweater around your shoulders" she breathed, taking off at a running pace towards the motel. Rounding the corner post of the east rooms, Oliveah felt sheering pain against her upper arm as she collided in the dark with something unseen. Running past Will's open room door, she slammed her fist against Hannibal Lecter's door and fleetingly considered kicking it down.

"HANNIBAL! PLEASE OPEN…"

Pulling his motel door open wide, Hannibal's surprised eyes fell onto Oliveah's face before taking in the sight of her bare shoulders and quite see through tank top.

"Miss. Adler?"

"Will is going into shock, he is at the end of the drive by the ice machine, please…" she gulped hurriedly out of breath as she watched Lecter retreating into the room. Emerging seconds later with a black bag, he slammed the door behind him and followed Oliveah down the soft lit corridor.

"Will?"

Hearing his name, Graham raised his tired eyes up and focused on Lecter's white dress shirted chest.

"Will can you hear me?"

Nodding his head slowly, Will looked to Oliveah and slipped off her sweater from around his shoulders with a look of embarrassment.

"Uh, thanks."

"Follow my finger Will. Do you remember leaving your room this evening?"

"I was coming out for ice, and I felt someone behind me, he was sweating. I would have called an ambulance but my phone is with Abigail" Oliveah spoke as Lecter checked Will's pulse.

"You need some attention it looks like as well Miss. Adler" Lecter spoke as Oliveah turned in his direction.

"I'm fine."

Letting go of Will's wrist, Hannibal reached his fingers out and gripped her elbow firmly before raising her arm up. It was only then that she felt a stream of warm liquid running down her inner arm.

"Oh!"

"Keep your arm elevated" Lecter instructed as he stood up. Helping Will to his feet, they walked past Will's room and into Hannibal's. "Have a seat Will. I'm going to give you something to sleep in a moment," Hannibal spoke as he motioned for Oliveah to head into the washroom.

Flipping on the light, Oliveah stood just inside the door and squinted under the harsh morgue like motel lighting as her eyes glanced over the bare sink counter. Hearing footsteps coming up behind her, she shifted slightly just as Hannibal pressed the palm of his hand against her shirted lower back.

"Have a seat."

Closing the lid to the toilet, Oliveah caught sight of the bloody gash running down the length of her upper arm in the mirror.

"Jesus…"

"Sit down before you bleed all over the basin."

Taking a seat on the closed lid, her eyes watched as Hannibal sat his black Doctor's bag on the edge of the sink. Observing his long fingers pulling out a needle, thread, cotton balls, and what looked like antiseptic liquid, Oliveah sat still as Hannibal took a seat on the edge of the white bathtub, stopping to unbutton his cuffs and roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt.

"Blood does not make you nauseas?"

Shaking her head, she held her breath at the light touch of Lecter's hand on hers as he told her to grip the excess fabric of his shirt along his side to keep her arm straight.

"I'm going to numb your upper arm before I sew."

Watching the head of the needle disappearing into her skin, Oliveah glanced up for a brief second to see the look of concentration on his face before he leaned forward to drop the used syringe in the sink. Lowering her eyes back down onto his long fingers, she watched as he expertly began to sew her skin back together.

"Doctor Bloom mentioned that you were once a Medical Doctor" Oliveah spoke, breaking the silence as Lecter pulled the needle towards him.

"I was once a practicing Surgeon in my early years" he replied, never taking his eyes off his work.

"Why did you choose to become a Psychiatrist?" She questioned, tightening her grip around the fabric of his shirt as she kept her arm straight.

Tying the thread closed, Hannibal snipped the needle free as he ran his finger along the edge of the cut almost admiring his work.

"I killed a patient."

Hearing his raw reply, Oliveah closed her mouth as Hannibal wrapped gauze to cover and secure.

"Your upper arm will be numb for a while, keep it dry and I will apply clean gauze in the morning."

It was all he spoke as he stood to his feet.

Nodding her head in silent thanks, Oliveah ducked out of the washroom and without further word left the motel room carrying her sweater.

Rubbing his hands together, Hannibal took sight of Oliveah's blood that was starting to dry on the outside of his right hand. Bringing his hand up, he dragged his tongue over the blood and closed his eyes at the metallic taste.

"I will give you a sleeping aid Will, something to make you pass the night away" Hannibal whispered, turning on the faucets and running his hands slowly through the warm water watching the color turning to a light rose.

The Next Morning…

Driving through heavy forest, the sun had refused to break through the clouds as the dampness of the fall air fell onto everything and into everyone's shoulders.

Exiting out of the SUV, Oliveah felt a strong hand on her shoulder holding her back as Will Graham stood behind her.

"Oliveah, I uh…I just wanted to say thank you for last night."

It was all he said as he gave her shoulder a light squeeze before moving past towards the police cautioned off front door of the wooden cabin belonging to the Hobbs Family.

Well, you're welcome Mr. Graham Oliveah thought as she watched him disappear into the cabin. Following suit, she stepped aside a uniformed officer who gave her a nod and followed Graham's steps.

"He cleaned everything. I thought he was afraid of germs, but I guess he was afraid of getting caught" Abigail spoke with a shaky voice as Will stood beside her.

"No one else ever came here. You're sure of that?"

"I think I was the only person other than my mom who knew that this place existed. I mean, he made everything we had by himself. Glue, butter. My father was not big on buying from town. No part went to waste, otherwise it was murder" she whispered repeatedly before spinning around on her heel with wide eyes.

"He was feeding them to us, wasn't he?"

"It's very likely" Lecter confirmed as Oliveah felt her stomach lurch.

Cannibalism, eating human flesh. What would that do to a person over time? Disease….

Hearing Abigail's dry heaves as she raced off into a dark corner to throw up, Oliveah smelt the mildew that lurked in the cabin.

This was not one of those Cabins you came to for summer holidays

Emerging from the dark corner, Abigail wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt as she turned to face her group of defenders.

"He had to kill those girls so he wouldn't have to kill me. If he had killed me they would all be alive. They would be living, breathing, in college, having a life…" Halting her words, Abigail caught her breath as she felt something dripping on her forehead. Reaching her finger up, she started to shake as blood dripped off her finger.

"Oh my God."

Watching Will slowly mounting the steps to the cabin's second level, Oliveah kept her eyes firmly trained on the blood soaking into the boards above.

The blood is pooling in one spot, something is up there…

Or someone.

Feeling a body rushing past her, clipping her injured arm, Oliveah swore as she watched Abigail race up the stairs followed by Bloom.

"ABIGAIL!"

Seconds later, screams filled the small cabin as Oliveah could only make out one word…

"MARISSA!"

Speeding down the darkened street towards the Hobbs residence, Oliveah leaned the side of her head against the window and had just closed her eyes when Doctor Bloom's voice broke out with irritation from the front seat.

"Damn, the Press."

Straining her eyes to see the lights and commotion between Doctor Lecter and Doctor Bloom, Abigail bit her lip as she touched her neck. "I really wish we had a back entrance" she muttered as Oliveah gave her a weak smile.

"You're lucky its dark. It'll be easier to hide your face if you want?"

"How about hiding my entire life past and present…" Abigail offered as Hannibal slowly rounded the familiar driveway corner, taking caution to not deliberately hit the ladies and gentlemen of the press. Lowering her head, Abigail quickly brushed her long dark hair over her face as the incessant flashes of cameras banged up against the SUV panels and the darkened windows. Driving up the gravel road, Oliveah looked back out the window to see a solo uniformed police officer dragging a wooden barrier across the mouth of the drive as camera lights continued to flash.

Good luck with that buddy

Throwing open her door, Oliveah found herself face to face with Doctor Lecter as he slowly turned around to move past the front bumper of the SUV when a shout broke out from the bottom of the drive. Spinning around on her heel, Oliveah could only just make out a dark body racing towards the SUV, the flashing lights of the media cameras blurring the woman's face.

"YOU KILLED MY DAUGHTER!"

Feeling a presence behind her, Oliveah watched as Doctor Lecter pushed past her and grabbed the hysterical woman by the arms.

"WHY DID YOU COME BACK HERE?"

Hearing the woman's screams as she rounded the bumper of the car and moved next to Abigail, Oliveah grabbed her hand as the young girl squeezed hard.

"I didn't kill her, oh my God…I didn't kill her" she repeated quickly as Oliveah felt the pain of Abigail's fingernails digging into her palm.

"It's okay Abigail" Oliveah whispered as Doctor Bloom put her arm around Abigail's shoulder and shuffled her off towards the dark house. Standing alone, she watched as a uniformed officer pulled Mrs. Schurr away and back down the gravel road. Feeling Doctor Lecter's hand on her own shoulder, Oliveah felt her body instinctively relax as she slowly walked along his side to re-join the other's.

"Abigail?"

"Miss. Lounds? You're on the wrong side of the police line," Hannibal's voice broke out in irritation as a petite framed woman with a pile of ringlet red hair walked out into the dimly lit pathway.

"I've been covering the Minnesota Shriek long before you ever got involved" the woman spat as another officer roughly grabbed her arm and pushed her past.

"Does no one do their damn job around here?" Oliveah questioned as she quickly side stepped out of the officer's way.

"I want to help you tell your story" Lounds offered.

"I want to talk to her."

"No, you really don't" Bloom interrupted as Lounds swung her head back around. Focusing her eyes hard on Oliveah, she smiled and ripped her arm out of the officer's hold. "You give me an exclusive interview Miss. Adler and I'll guarantee it that you'll get paid enough money to cover your full tuition at Hopkins. You wouldn't have to worry about money."

Feeling her mouth fall open, Oliveah stared hard at the woman known as Freddie Lounds just as the officer grabbed her arm again. "What a minute, how do you know who I am?" she questioned, finding herself following Lounds's footsteps, unaware of Doctor Lecter keeping close tabs behind.

"You're not the only one lurking in the shadows. And what kind of an investigative journalist would I be if I didn't take to finding out who are all Abigail Hobb's nearest and dearest defenders."

"Your website is pure shit Ms. Lounds, and in very poor taste and quality" Oliveah spat as Lounds smiled and tilted her head.

"You know Oliveah, you do have nice dark brown hair, shoulder length, and the color of your skin is unblemished and fair. I'd say if Garret Jacob Hobbs hadn't been shot eight times in cold blood by the very unstable and sickly minded Will Graham, you might've wanted to be very careful and not lurk around city streets or train stations alone."

Hearing the words coming out of Freddie Lounds's mouth, Oliveah took a hard step forward before feeling a strong hand slam down on her shoulder, pulling her back against a hard body.

"Ms. Lounds, your brand of outright bullying will not be tolerated, and I have half a mind to press charges against you for trespassing and harassment" Lecter growled from behind Oliveah as she felt his strong fingers digging painfully into her shoulder blade.

Smiling, Lounds simply took a step towards the police barrier and held out her hands.

"I will be patiently waiting for your next move."

Watching the small woman disappear into the mold of media members and cameras, Oliveah turned around and started back up towards the house with Hannibal by her side.

"It'll take a lot more than I happen to look like tempting irresistible bait for a serial killer to piss me off" she muttered, unaware of Doctor's Lecter's smile in the darkness.

Walking into the living room with two glasses of water, Oliveah sat them both down on the wooden coffee table and took in a deep breath.

"Where's Doctor Bloom and Doctor Lecter?" Abigail questioned as she hugged a pillow that had been sitting on the couch behind her.

"They are outside making a statement to the police about Freddie Lounds" Oliveah replied as Abigail looked up at her with wet eyes.

"Everyone who reads the newspapers is going to think I had something to do with Marissa's death, but she was my best friend. How in the hell do I change people's minds?" Abigail spoke softly as she started to cry into the pillow.

"Abigail, you and I both know you didn't kill her. You are not like your father. You are not a killer" Oliveah offered as she touched Abigail's shoulder.

"Um, can you ask Doctor Bloom to come inside please?"

Rubbing Abigail's shoulder, Oliveah nodded her head as she left the room for the front door. Striding down the dark pathway, Oliveah shifted her eyes to the ground as the camera flashes from the end of the driveway were starting to blind her.

"Doctor Bloom, Abigail wishes to see you inside the house."

Nodding her head, she moved past Oliveah as the uniformed officer began to speak in her direction.

"Miss? The Doctor here tells me that you also spoke to Freddie Lounds this evening, can you tell me about your interaction?"

Looking to Hannibal, Oliveah watched him nod his head as he took a step backwards and walked towards the SUV. "Um, yes, she spoke to me as the other police officer was escorting her back down the driveway" she spoke as the officer scribbled awkwardly in his small notebook.

"Did she know who you were?"

"She did. She said that it was her job as a journalist to find out about Abigail's protectors" she added, tasting the word journalist with disgust.

"I see. Do you have any concern that she may be stalking you or might continue to harass you?"

"I really don't know. This is the first time I've ever seen her. If she is with Tattle Crime then I doubt she will stop following us, me…whoever" Oliveah offered as she strained her eyes to find the body outline of Doctor Lecter around the SUV.

Where did he go?

"Alright, well we have all your statements and…

"OFFICER PETERS! GET IN HERE RIGHT AWAY!"

Hearing the shouting from the house, Oliveah spun on her heel and ran towards the house as the uniformed officer behind her spoke quickly into his shoulder radio.

Rushing into the house, Oliveah felt a hand trying to grab her arm as she slapped it away with ease.

"Abigail?"

"She's here in the living room."

Turning, her eyes fell onto the seated forms of Abigail and Doctor Bloom as Hannibal Lecter handed Alana a wet washcloth. Holding it against her forehead, Doctor Bloom closed her eyes as Abigail sat perfectly still.

"What the hell happened?"

"Nicholas Boyle broke into the house and tried to attack Abigail. He must have come in behind me because the next thing I remember, Doctor Lecter was pressing a cold cloth against my head" Bloom spoke as Abigail kept her hands securely folded in her lap.

Something is off...

Looking at Abigail, Oliveah studied her pale face as the young girl refused to look anywhere but forward. "He must have come into the house after I left, or he could have been hiding in here all along" she spoke as an officer entered the room behind her.

"Doctor Bloom we have an ambulance outside to check you and Miss. Hobbs out, if you'll come with us please."

Standing aside as Lecter helped Bloom up off the couch, Oliveah moved over to Abigail.

"Are you okay?"

Shifting her eyes up to Oliveah, Abigail offered a weak smile.

"I'm fine" she whispered, throwing her eyes up and onto the retreating back of Hannibal Lecter which did not go unnoticed by Oliveah's curious eyes.

"I don't need the ambulance, but can you stay with me for a while?"

1 Clinton St N,Baltimore, Maryland…

1:12am…

Nearly stumbling through the front door of the townhouse, Oliveah allowed her bag to fall heavily on the hardwood floor of the foyer as a face appeared around the corner.

"Long day at the office?" Tyler questioned as he wrung a dish towel in his hands.

"You have no idea Tyler" Oliveah spoke as she stepped over the bag and rounded the corner into the kitchen.

"I made homemade mac and cheese from scratch using sharp cheddar and swiss if you're hungry?"

Feeling her stomach turn, Oliveah sat down at the two-seat wooden table and shook her head. After seeing Marissa Schurr's nearly naked body hung like butchers' meat on a set of stag antlers, her appetite had gone right out of the window.

"I'll pass."

"So how was the cannibal house Did you find bones in the utensil drawer?"

Hearing her housemate's callous question, Oliveah raised her head that had been resting on her hand and stared hard.

"That was a real shitty question to ask Tyler. Abigail isn't a cannibal" Oliveah spat as her roommate folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the fridge.

"Well, that's what Tattle Crime is reporting."

Roughly pushing out from the table, Oliveah ignored the loud screech as the chair legs dug into the floor. "You honestly read that garbage? I've met Freddie Lounds and she is a real piece of work."

"She'd have to be to get all those pictures."

Right.

"Good night Tyler."

Hauling her tired ass up the stairs, Oliveah bypassed the washroom and pushed open her bedroom door. Leaving all the lights off, she shuffled towards her bed as she peeled off various piecing of clothing along the way. Pulling off her shirt, she winced as white gauze met her eyes. Running her finger along the bottom of the gauze, her mind flashed back to Doctor Lecter's thin fingers expertly stitching her skin closed.

"Lucky for me he used to be a medical doctor" she muttered as she left the gauze where it was.

Slipping her naked body between the thin cool sheets, Oliveah gave a yawn as she stared up at the dark ceiling.

Tomorrow morning, she could sleep in, but the afternoon required her to work late into the evening on her research thesis and for days after if she didn't want to get behind.

"Sleep tight Abigail" Oliveah whispered as she closed her eyes and absentmindedly rolled over onto her injured arm. Her final vision of Hannibal Lecter's dark eyes capturing hers in the SUV's review mirror.

Lopsine ir labanaky = "Lullaby and goodnight"

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